Human Ip is an ecological writer and painter based in Hong Kong. She graduated from Lingnan University with a degree in Chinese Literature. She has published six novels and essay collections on nature ecology and held three solo art exhibitions. As a prominent ecological writer representing Hong Kong, she is actively promoting ecological writing in the city. In recent years, she has collaborated with several universities and organizations to organize lectures, exhibitions, guided nature tours, and creative workshops. Her initiatives in promoting ecological writing have been widely covered by the media.    

Collaborating organizations include The University of Hong Kong’s Centre for Civil Society and Governance, Wu Zhi Qiao (Bridge to China) Charitable Foundation, the Countryside Conservation Office, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and Hong Kong Public Libraries.   

In 2019, she served as a mural artist in the Mui Tsz Lam Art Revitalization Project. Between 2021 and 2027, she worked as a mural curator, ecological conservationist, and cultural documentarian in the "Forest Villages: Mui Tsz Lam and Ha Tong Sustainable Rural Project." In 2021, she founded the organic farm and agricultural brand “Farm in-situ” in Lai Chi Wo. In 2024, she served as a writer-in-residence at Hong Kong Baptist University. She has been a part-time faculty member at Lingnan University since 2023. 
 
1. Do you have a plan or project in mind for your time at the residency?

In fact, I am currently working on a new novel centered around nature writing. During my time at the residency, I am eager to explore the local countryside and visit nearby farms to immerse myself in the regional ecology. I plan to integrate these experiences and observations directly into my upcoming book. In addition, I am keen to conduct research and gain a deeper understanding of the local ecology. To achieve this, I will likely take photographs and try my hand at sketching or painting as part of my creative process.

2. How do you think the IWP Residency will benefit your writing craft, as well as your professional writing life?

As I begin my new novel—which is deeply rooted in nature writing—the residency offers the perfect environment to step out of my comfort zone. Exploring the local countryside and visiting nearby farms will allow me to study the regional ecology firsthand. The residency provides an invaluable platform to connect with translators, publishers, and editors from all over the world. These relationships are crucial for expanding the reach of my work outside my home region. Adding to that, in Hong Kong, I face significant life stress and heavy workloads. This residency offers a peaceful sanctuary, providing the ideal environment for me to focus on my writing without those distractions.

3. What are you currently reading right now? Are you reading for research or pleasure?

Additionally, I am currently finishing the illustrations for a children's picture book, which is near completion. In line with this project, my recent readings have focused on various children's books and beautifully illustrated volumes.

4. What is one thing the readers and writers of Iowa City should know about you and your work?

I want readers to know that I come from Hong Kong, a place usually perceived as bustling and highly urbanized. However, I live in a Hakka village called Lai Chi Wo, which can only be reached by boat. In my daily life, besides writing and painting, I am also a farmer and a teacher. I hope everyone will come to understand my articles and novels, and learn about the stories of my hometown. I am more than happy to share these experiences with everyone."

5. Tell us about where you are from - what are a few favorite details you would like to share about your home?

I want readers and fellow writers to know that I come from Hong Kong, a place usually perceived as a bustling, high-density metropolis. However, I live a very different reality. My home is in Lai Chi Wo, a 300-year-old Hakka village so remote that it can only be reached by boat. Nestled right next to a national park, it is a breathtaking sanctuary of mountains and water. ​In this village, I manage a 15,000-square-foot farm, which keeps my days filled with the physical rhythms of agriculture. Alongside farming, I work as a teacher and a nature writer. This environment provides me with endless inspiration; every day, the rich local flora and fauna offer fresh sparks for my creativity. ​Furthermore, Lai Chi Wo is recognized as an Eco Village, where the community embraces a low-carbon lifestyle. Through my novels, children’s picture books, and my time at the residency, I am eager to share stories of my unique hometown and promote the vital message of low-carbon living and carbon neutrality. I hope to inspire others to appreciate how we can harmoniously coexist with nature.